Take the Paths Less Travelled: Ski the Cross-Country Alternative

By Travel Alberta,

travelalberta [at] raremethod . com
www1.travelalberta.com

Alberta's cross-country ski trails meander across glittering snow and awesome terrain, offering the perfect answer for downhill enthusiasts in search of something new as the new winter season approaches.

In just a couple months, summer hikers will give way to cross-country skiers sliding on vast and diverse trails located just a short, scenic drive away from Alberta's international gateway cities of Calgary and Edmonton.

While the Canadian Rocky Mountains are the main draw for alpine skiers and riders, great cross-country ski trails can even be found within city limits.

Early-season downhill skiing at Alberta's Rocky Mountain ski resorts typically begins in the first week of November. Last year, the season kicked off with the best snowfall in 16 years, with more than a metre (3.2 feet) of fresh powder. That's tenfold what's needed to begin cross-country skiing.

So while you're likely planning a downhill trip, consider the cross-country alternatives in Alberta to break up the trip or try something new. With a just a few centimetres of the white stuff, cross-country skiers are out enjoying the tranquility of the forest, the solitude of remote trails and the pleasure of sparkling views.

Cross-Country Prepares You

But cross-country skiing is more than that. It's also a great aerobic workout that builds upper and lower-body strength and can help prepare downhill athletes for the season ahead.

"It doesn't cost much. You're not spending a lot on a ticket so it's thrifty and economic," says Dean Christou, manager and buyer for Banff's Mountain Magic Equipment in Banff National Park. "Some places it's free to ski, so it costs nothing but the price of your equipment."

While many downhill skiers put aside stepping into cross-country gear, the two sports do have a lot in common. We're not saying you should change from downhill to cross-country, but you might want to consider it as another outdoor option.

"Downhill skiers generally pick it up pretty quick, but struggle a little with the balance because they're used to so much support being built into the equipment," says Christou. "Cross-country is nice and quiet and generally you're not dealing with the big crowds and line ups. You're getting away from it."

Spectacular Moraine Lake, with its thick wintertime ice and hanging glaciers, is usually the first place in Banff to open for cross-country skiing. People are already on the trails with as little as eight to 10 centimetres (four inches) of snow, says Christou.

Take Advantage of the Weather

Moraine Lake's proximity to the Lake Louise Ski Resort is good news for downhill skiers who want to get outdoors when the weather is uncooperative. Fog, wind and icy conditions are less critical to cross-country skiing with its calmer pace and relative shelter in the forests.

In addition to Moraine Lake, Banff National Park and surrounding areas are crisscrossed with a network of trails, most within close proximity of the Town of Banff and the park's Ski Big 3 resorts: Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise. Some of the trails are groomed and packed by Parks Canada, while others require skiers on classic equipment to break trail.

East of Banff, beginning with the Canmore Nordic Centre and stretching away to Kananaskis Country, is some of the best cross-country skiing in the province.

"When the Canmore Nordic Centre is up and running it's an absolutely stellar facility," says Christou, a sentiment that's echoed by Jean Funk, chair of Cross Country Alberta.

The facility's snow-making capability means cross-country skiers can indulge in their sport from November through April, providing the weather is cold enough, says Funk. "When you make snow early you can keep grooming it," she adds. "It gives us a long, long season."

That long season may be why the facility has earned a reputation for producing champions like Sara Renner and Olympic gold medalist Chandra Crawford.

Ski the North

Back at Cross Country Alberta, which has its headquarters in Edmonton, Funk is quick to point out the virtues of skiing in Northern Alberta.

"We've got great places for families to spend quality time together and at the same time pick up new skills," she says. "Up north there's ski trails in Fort McMurray and tons of early snow. We've got Nordic walking to help you get in shape."

A little east of Canmore and just 45-minutes' drive from the major metropolitan centre of Calgary is K-Country. This region has more cross-country trails than an ant colony, some of which cut right across the parking lot of Nakiska ski resort. And none of the trails cost a red cent to use.

"I've cross-country skied all across Canada and I've never come across such an incredible network before," says Duane Fizor, information officer with Kananaskis Country Information Centres. "Some of the trails go right to the Nakiska parking lot. Hidden Trail goes through the parking lot and leads to Skogan Pass or Marmot Basin Trail."

The Marmot Basin Trail in K-Country is not to be confused with Marmot Basin Ski Resort in Jasper National Park. Marmot is the only downhill resort in the Jasper region, though the area is also home to an extensive cross-country trail system.

Though Maligne Lake, the area's premiere destination for cross-country skiers, is no longer track set, some 200 kilometres of roads and trails snake around the Athabasca River Valley making for excellent skiing opportunities.

Dwain Wacko, owner of Jasper's Chaba Theatre and an avid skier, says he's a fan of the sport regardless of whether it's downhill or cross-country.

"It's a really good form of exercise and fitness and it is skiing," he says. "Cross-country is not just walking on skis. There is technique. The more proficient you are, the more fun you'll have."

Fun is the Name of the Game

Fun is the name of the game for Andrew Rusynyk, director of marketing for Castle Mountain ski resort in the southwest corner of Alberta. In addition to a new chairlift, ski invski out accommodation and numerous new beginner and intermediate runs, Castle is also opening a new cross-country trail along the bottom of Mount Haig.

"It's a somewhat up and down trail that's going to be good for beginners as well as advanced skiers because the ups and downs are fairly gentle," says Rusynyk. "We will maintain and groom the trail too."

The other established trail from the resort leads across the valley and around an ecological reserve before linking back to the Syncline network of cross-country trails further from the resort.

"The trails are very pristine and wild," says Rusynyk.

Further east along the Crowsnest Highway, nearer the town of Pincher Creek, are the cross-country trails of Waterton National Park. Equally spectacular yet different scenery greets skiers in the area, perhaps heightened by minimal grooming and human intervention. The most popular trail is along the road between Little Prairie and Cameron Lake.

"It's great for family skiing with some easy hills," says Janice Smith, communications officer for Parks Canada adding that many skiers also like the Akamina-Kishinena Provincial Park route. "That's popular because you cross a pass into British Columbia. You don't feel stressed by people who want to ski hard and fast. It's relaxed and a really nice atmosphere."

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Travel Alberta (http://www.travelalberta.com) is the destination marketing organization for the Province of Alberta. Guided by the Strategic Tourism Marketing Council, Travel Alberta is the steward for the effective delivery of tourism marketing programs. For information about our organization, please visit our Travel Alberta industry web site at http://industry.travelalberta.com